LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



Chap Copyright No. 

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 




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Spirit Morlb 



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Crane & Company, Printers 

ToPEKA, Kansas 

1899 

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TV^ro COPIES RECEIVED 

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49544 

Copyright 1899, ^7 
Crane & Co., Topeka, Kansas. 



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TO OUR FRIENDS, 

ON BOTH SIDES OF LIFE, IS THIS VOLUME DEDICATED, 

BY THE SPIRIT 

JAMES THOMPSON, 

through the mediumship of 

Alice L. Kane. 

topeka, kansas, 
september, 

1899. 



mote 

The only apology I have to offer for 
sending this little missionary to the public, 
is that it was given to me for this purpose. 

A. L. K. 



]£cboc5 from tbe 

Spirit MorK) 

Chapter I. 

"Laugh, you who never had 

Your dead come back ; but do not take from me 

The harmless comfort of my foolish dream : 
That these, our mortal eyes, 

Which outwardly reflect the earth and skies, 
Do introvert upon eternity ; 

And that the shapes you deem 

Imagination's, just as clearly fall, 
Each from its own divine original, 

And through some subtle element of light, 
Upon the inward spiritual eye. 
As do the things which round about us lie, 

Gross and material, on the external sight." 

— Alice Cary. 

How often would we be glad to give to 
mortals, on their plane of existence, our ex- 
periences, for their benefit as well as ours, 

7 



ECHOES FROM THE 

To US it is an opportunity to do to those 
still left in the flesh, a good they cannot 
well now appreciate. 

We say for the benefit of all, on both 
sides of life, that the passing is an experi- 
ence fraught with much joy, and also, of 
course, as you may readily realize, some 
sorrow. Sorrow at parting with the loved 
friends, and especially if they are not cogni- 
zant of the laws which govern our transi- 
tion to the Spirit-life, or Spiritual Sphere ; 
for then we know the door of communica- 
tion is shut, and we must reach them as best 
we can. 

We are fortunate if we have a friend, who 
is so far developed in the Spiritual life as to 
be able to extend to us a helping hand, and 
thus enable us to speak to those we love 
most and best, who are still in earth-life. 

It is my purpose to give, through this 
8 



SPIRIT WORLD. 

friend, a series of experiences, which can- 
not fail to convince the most skeptical that 
we do exist outside of the material, and after 
the great change called death, which is only 
birth into the Spiritual kingdom of Nature, 
where our possibilities for growth and de- 
velopment are limitless. 

Surely, many have found the truth, and 
many more are seeking, they know not what, 
but a satisfaction for their souls. To such I 
will now address myself. 

Immediately upon my transition out of 
the body (which I will now state was pain- 
less), I found myself surrounded by bright 
and shining ones, some of whom I knewj 
others seemed to have come out of sympathy 
for the new-born soul. They wafted to me 
fragrance from spices so sweet, and fanned 
me with the delightful breezes peculiar to 
the upper stratum of air just beyond the 

9 



ECHOES FROM THE 

currents of earth's magnetism. In this de- 
lightful condition I had a sense of reflection, 
and felt not a little sad at the loss, which 
just now seemed to be permanent, of my 
nearest and dearest. 

A trifle homesick, I said to my guide, 
"Have I left them for always?" "Far 
from it," was his reply; "but for the pres- 
ent, I wish you to be perfectly passive and 
submissive, that more good may come to 
you." 

Feeling intensely the happiness with which 
I was blessed, it soon took form in my try- 
ing my powers in the new life by which I 
was surrounded, for up to this point I was 
as one cared for; but now I felt new desires 
for motion, my body feeling light, and young 
again; for I will say I had reached my fifty- 
fifth year on earth, and as is quite common 
to people of that age, my mortal body had 



SPIRIT WORLD. 

sometimes seemed a burden to me; but now 
all that was past, and I felt well and young, 
with renewed energy and vigor of mind. I 
longed to try what I could do in my new 
surroundings, so I expressed to my guide 
(all have guides). 

He kindly acquiesced, and agreed it was 
now time for me to try my flight. 

He gently grasped my waist, and we 
commenced an upward motion which was 
remarkable indeed. 

I feared I would grow dizzy, and said as 
much to my friend who had me in charge; 
but nothing of the kind occurred to mar my 
otherwise delightful experience. It seemed 
we were borne on the wings of the wind, 
but my friend said magnetic currents. 

On, on, we went, past cities and villages 
as real as ever greeted my mortal sight. I 
began to wonder when this would cease, 
II 



ECHOES FROM THE 

when I was told that was enough for this 
lesson, and now we would return. I con- 
fess to having some doubt as to my ability 
to maintain an equilibrium on the return, 
but when I thought fear my guide simply 
let go his hold, and I found it superb sailing 
on magnetic currents, perfectly natural, with 
no attendant danger. 



12 



SPIRIT WORLD. 



Chapter II. 

"Alas ! for him who cannot see 
The stars shine through his cypress tree, 
"Who hopeless lays his dead away, 
Nor waits to see the breaking day 
Across the mournful marbles play." 

— Whittier. 

Surrounded as I was at this time by 
scenes of my release from bondage to the 
flesh, I looked about to see if I recognized 
any familiar faces. Ah ! yes, there was my 
ever -loving and faithful wife, bowed in 
tears ; and my son, on whom his father had 
hoped to lean as a prop and stay in his old 
age. They were, however, looking philo- 
sophically upon the occurrence, and my wife 
remarked, " It is the way all must go, yet it 
is hard — very hardP 
13 



ECHOES FROM THE 

I sought in vain to inform them of my 
.presence, as no matter what my gestures 
were, they paid no attention to me. 

I would fain have comforted their sad 
hearts with the assurance that I still lived 
and loved, but no thought or movement of 
mine seemed to attract any attention. 

At last, worn with this thought, I passed 
on into the familiar room where the lump 
of clay that had once encased my entity lay 
as one asleep. 

I looked lovingly at the temple I had in- 
habited so many years, and with a good-by 
thought, left the room to seek more con- 
genial air outside. I wondered what time 
it was, as the lamps were not yet lighted. 
I could not even guess the time of day. 

After looking upon familiar scenes in and 
around my home, I decided to try the street. 
Here I found all was clear to my mind, and 
14 



8PIRIT WORLD. 

many familiar forms greeted my sight, but 
paid no attention to me, — in fact, walked 
right on in their course turning not to the 
right or left, consequently passing right 
through me. It did not disconcert me in 
the least, and only gave me a feeling of 
loneliness, not to be recognized ; but I be- 
gan to fully realize the novelty of my new 
situation, and thought this is to be endless. 
This only added to my burden of sorrow, 
for now I must seek new associates in ac- 
cordance with my new environment. 

Finally, my mind was drawn to business, 
which had engrossed a greater part of my 
life ; and here it will be different. Here^ I 
thought, I shall at least be recognized, and 
some deference paid to the senior partner of 
the firm ; but alas ! no one paid any atten- 
tion to me. This was the crowning point 
of sorrow, and I resolved never to make a 

IS 



ECHOES FROM THE 

second attempt, as it evidently was useless. 
So, turning my back upon that room, which 
in the past held so many busy hours for me, 
I resolved to learn what the great future 
had in store, as evidently the haunts which 
had known me so long, now would know 
me no more forever. 

Thus I glided out unnoticed, and when 
again in the air felt freer, as while in the 
old environments I felt the same sense of 
anxiety for the welfare of the business, 
which to me was becoming oppressive ; but 
once free, I decided it was best for me not 
to return. 

At this point I began to experience a 
sense of great loneliness. There they were 
— my friends, but I could not make them 
know or feel my presence. At this, a friend 
in spirit came and spoke to me. Divining 
my situation, he sought to lead my mind to 
i6 



SPIBIT WORLD. 

the new surroundings, enough of which I 
had seen to throw some light upon my way. 
Gladly I accepted his advice, and we with- 
drew from the old haunts, where now there 
was nothing but disappointment, to an up- 
per current, which was very invigorating. 
" Come with me to my home," said he ; 
"see what a veritable paradise we possess." 
Surely enough ! we were borne along a 
short distance, — then there appeared what 
to me seemed an enchanted isle, with trees 
of spice perfume, and these words recurred 
to my mind : 

"Just over there is an isle so fair, 
With spice and sweet perfume." 

" Now," said my friend, " just beyond the 
tallest tree you can discern is where my 
house and my dear Mary are." 

It was a long distance, but I took sight at 

—2 17 



ECHOES FROM THE 

what seemed the tallest tree, and we steered 
straight for it. 

All this was accomplished in a few sec- 
onds. Arriving at the place, I inquired, 
" Where did you obtain material to con- 
struct so beautiful a dwelling ? " 

You see, I spoke after the manner of the 
flesh, as I had not yet learned to adjust my- 
self to this new situation. He answered at 
once: 

" That is the beauty of this life. We do 
not have to work here for years before we 
may have our hearts' desire accomplished. 
We have only to desire with intense ear- 
nestness, and we receive at once^ — not next 
year, or at the end of a series of years of 
toil and waiting, but soon. One must settle 
in his mind the plan of the house, and the 
thought forms a tangible dwelling, at least 



ig 



SPIEIT WORLD. 

As this conversation was going on, we 
had drawn close to the dwelling, and my 
friend said, " We will now enter, for here 
we dwell in love and perfect peace.'*'* 

I wondered to myself if this were entirely 
true, as so many times in the old life I had 
been made heart-sick and weary over the 
attempts at perfect peace ; and I thought, 
" Really, can this be true?" I remembered 
what Jesus had said : " My peace I leave 
with you, my peace I give unto you, not as 
the world giveth," but now. I thought, 
'-''This is not that world, and I wonder if 
this is the peace spoken of ? " However, we 
entered the dwelling, there to greet the loved 
one of his choice, who had been in spirit - 
life many years, and whose angelic ways 
were sure to win all in her presence. The 
pair made me feel perfectly at home, and I 
was invited to tarry with them at my will. 
19 



ECHOES FEOM THE 

Urged to recline upon one of the many 
luxurious sofas, and rest, I did so, for I was 
by this time greatly fatigued, and accepted 
the kind hospitality of my friend and his 
noble mate ; and I felt I was indeed blessed. 



2« 



8PIBIT WORLD, 



Chapter III. 



"If our dead return not, 'then is Christ not risen'; 
your preaching is vain, and your faith is also vain." 

Finding myself wholly given up to mus- 
ings of the past, present, and future, my 
mind wandered back to the loved, and, to 
me for the time being, wholly lost, or ob- 
livious to me in my present whereabouts; 
yet my companionship was so delightful 
that I could not long dwell upon unpleasant 
things. 

They strove to entertain and bear my 
mind aloft to many scenes which were yet 
to come into my present life. 

Knowing myself now to be a living entity, 
I began musing with myself as to my future 
possibilities. However much I had already 
learned, there was vastly more to be learned. 



ECHOES FROM THE 

Appearing at m}^ side soon after these so- 
liloquies, was a friend whom in earth-life I 
had called father. "Well, father," I said, 
" you have come, and I am very, very glad 
to see you. It is many, many years since 
we parted, and I have often wondered how 
it was with you, where you might be, and 
if I would be so fortunate as to ever behold 
you again : sit down and tell me all about 
it." 

" My dear son, it gives me great pleasure 
to embrace you, and I freely confess, this is 
a very pleasurable meeting to me. Have 
you been long on the spirit side ? " 

"Not long, I think, but just how long I 
cannot tell, as I have not yet learned to 
measure eternity." 

" It makes no difference. I learned in 
passing, you were being kindly cared for 
by our good friend. 

22 



SPIRIT WORLD. 

"Now, my son, there is much for you to 
learn, and very much you must understand, 
before you can develop those faculties of the 
soul which will be your inherent right. You 
must let go your hold upon earth for a time, 
neither directing your thought nor affections 
nadirward ; and I will help you to master 
some of the difficult lessons, and with your 
permission will now take you out for a little 
flight." 

Acceding joyously to his request, we pro- 
gressed finely, for his grasp was so firm, 
there was no sense of dizziness nor fear that 
I experienced in my first lesson. Then the 
thought of confidence — that what my father 
thought best for me was best, made me very 
happy. 

Up to this time I had formed no idea of 
the magnitude of space, but now we seemed 
drowned in azure blue, and were struggling 
23 



ECHOES FROM THE 

with space. We met and passed many peo- 
ple on some mission bent — some going earth- 
ward, others overtaking and passing us, 
bound for the Celestial realm. 

*' Father," said I, " whither are we going?" 

"To God, my son." 

" But to-day ! right now ? " 

" Oh, no ; it will take an indefinite space 
to be able to reach Him." 

"Well, what in the meantime? " 

" I wish to show you some of the glories 
of this life, the habitations not made with 
hands, eternal in the heavens. 

" You have already seen a sample of the 
glory of God's love, in the home you just 
left, and I wish to show you other homes, 
just as real, just as tangible, as this one." 

" But father, how is it ? — it seems so far. 
Why did you not stay nearer earth, and thus 
save all this travel ? " 
24 



8PIBIT WORLD. 

"Are you growing weary ? If so, we will 
rest at the next inn, where all are well re- 
ceived." 

"I do feel fagged out, and believe it is 
best to rest." 

Accordingly in a very short space (I do 
not mean time, as over here there is no 
time, but everything is measured by space 
traveled over, or to be traveled ) we came 
within sight of one of these resting-places, 
which we greeted gladly upon our arrival, 
and were refreshed by our rest, and by par- 
taking of the aroma and essence of food, 
which is all the spirit requires for its sus- 
tenance, and which it must have occasion- 
ally, for complete health and enjoyment. 
We have the counterparts in essence of all 
foods in earth-life, and therefore have a 
choice, according to our various tastes and re- 
quirements, as our natures are not changed, 
and we retain our own individuality. 

25 



ECHOES FROM THE 

It was indeed a delightful experience, as 
this was my first in imbibing these delicious 
aromas. In earth-life there are those sen- 
sitives who experience within their spiritual 
senses these aromas, — either of herbs, per- 
fumes, or food ; but I had not been blessed 
with this inner sense, and only now, for the 
first time in my existence, was strengthened 
by spirit power. 

I found that here, as before, we met peo- 
ple of all shades of belief. The future was 
still in advance, and at every step it seemed 
as far away as ever. I could not realize 
that I was 7tow in the future, or what it 
seemed to me, when I trod the mundane 
sphere. Now, it all seemed endless, bound- 
less space, with habitations and resting- 
places. 

" Come," said my father, "let us be go- 
ing. I wish to reach home by nightfall." 
26 



SPIRIT WOELB. 

"Nightfall!" said I; "I thought there 
was no night in Heaven. Are we not in 
Heaven?" 

" Not yet. There is, I am told, a place 
where it does not grow dark, but we have 
not reached that realm. 

''We must be patient, and not seek to 
understand all God's ways at once. We 
have enough to make us supremely happy 
on the way, and we ought to be content 
therewith, and not strive to advance beyond 
our comprehension. As we progress we 
shall understand all. Your dear mother 
will be awaiting us, and it is Heaven to 
her to have you with us, and I wish you 
to stay some little space, as we have a very 
commodious dwelling, and will be so pleased 
to have you with us again." 

On, on we went, past a small star. 

"Father, is not thia a world ?" 
27 



ECHOES FROM THE 

" Yes, my son. I have visited some of 
them. They have inhabitants, and each its 
use ; but to spirits is given the v^orld of 
space outside. We are almost there. You 
discern, like a speck, the tallest spire in our 
little village. That is the place." 



28 



SPIRIT WORLD. 



Chapter IV. 

♦* How shall I know thee in the sphere which keeps 
The disembodied spirits of the dead, 
When all of thee that time could wither sleeps 
And perishes among the dust we tread ? 

" Shalt thou not teach me, in that calmer home, 
The wisdom that I learned so ill in this, — 
The wisdom which is love, — 'til I become 
Thy fit companion in that land of bliss ? " 

— William Cullen Bryant. 

" Nearing home ! " I thought, just as when, 
so many years before, I would be absent for 
a time, and my dear mother would come to 
greet me ; and my thought in rapturous 
thrills was borne ahead to this meeting, 
which now seemed imminent. 

Sure enough ! she caught sight of us, and 
came with wide-open arms to receive the 
wanderer ; and to me it was like the old life. 
29 



ECHOES FROM THE 

" Oh, mother ! you are not changed, but are 
the same loving, kind and faithful mother. 
How do you enjoy this life ? How have 
you been, and where are all the rest of us, 
that you had so long in your keeping ? Are 
they not with you ? " 

" My dear son, I will answer your ques- 
tions directly ; but now let me say, I am so 
pleased to see you and have you at home 
once more. Here you know you are wel- 
come not only to come, but to stay. I have 
plenty and to spare. There is no privation 
here, and no worry as to how we are to get 
along, as is the case with humanity. There, 
it is one constant struggle to provide the 
necessities, but not so here. All we do is to 
see the necessity and the thought forms the 
element. It is grand. So many times I 
would have loved to send you word of all 
this life, but I could not reach you. I tried 

30 



SPIBIT WORLD. 

many times, but finally gave it up ; and as 
you were the last to come of all my chil- 
dren, I felt you would find the way as all 
the rest had done. There are none of them 
here just now, but some will return after a 
little space, — as this, as you have already 
learned, is our method of defining the inter- 
val of absence. 

" Well, on the whole I like this life better 
than the old life. I find the faculties of 
mindhsive renewed vigor; and, then, we al- 
ways feel w^ell. No pain, you understand. 
We grow weary, of course, but the rest is 
so sweet that it is only a cheerful change. 

" But tell me of yourself ; how have you 
left the dear ones at home ? Are they rec- 
onciled ? " 

" Hardly, I think. Do you know, mother, 
I have not had the heart to return since my 
leave-taking after my first flight ? I was 

31 



ECHOES FROM THE 

not noticed or any attention paid to me, and 
it was useless for me to remain there. I 
have no desire to return again ; would rather 
go on, and find what the future has in store 
for me." 

" I felt just so too, but then at last I found 
a way to reach the mortal world, though 
not my nearest and dearest. Prejudice in 
the minds of the people deters many from 
trying to communicate with their friends 
and, as one of old exclaimed, ' they would 
not believe though one should rise from the 
dead.' This, I think, is the cause of many 
in Spirit-life becoming discouraged, feeling 
they will not be recognized or believed. 

'' I tried many times, my son, to reach you 
with mother-love, but failed, in that I got 
no response, as of course you were not edu- 
cated along these lines, and were not look- 
ing for anything from me. 

32 



SPIRIT WOBLB. 

" But come, I have many things to show 
you, now that you have come to this life. 
We will first survey our premises, then 
those of our adjoining neighbors ; some of 
them you know. You see, we are content 
with our traveling for a space, and located 
in this beautiful valley, that we may enjoy 
all the beauties vouchsafed to the children of 
God. I cannot give up my faith in that 
same loving Heavenly Father who was my 
staff and stay through so many years of my 
pilgrimage in earth-life. But come ; let us 
look around." 

At this my mother arose; I followed. We 
passed out upon a broad portico, which was 
decorated with exquisite taste in Grecian 
architecture, the carvings and engravings 
alone forming a display of decorative art 
that was inclined to dazzle the eye and mind. 

" Beautiful ! beautiful ! " I exclaimed. 

—3 33 



ECHOES FROM THE 

" This is enchanting. These broad porticos, 
filled as they are with rare and tropical 
plants, are nearly all the room you need." 

My mother smiled as was her wont when 
greatly amused. 

" This is the outside," she remarked ; 
'' come, let us pass around to the side en- 
trance." 

Suiting the action to the word, we entered, 
through a maze of bewildering sweetness, 
and when once inside, this vision of loveliness 
was still continued, more in the matter of 
beautiful plants than in any other particular, 
though the furnishings were most luxurious. 
Many elegant mirrors reflected my image 
back to my astonished vision. As this was 
my first look at myself in spirit-form it gave 
me great happiness to know I looked 
younger by twenty years than in the body I 
had laid aside. I knew that I felt so, but 
34 



8PIBIT WOBLD. 

had not thought about how I looked until 
this moment when I beheld myself. 

" Mother," I said, " this is entrancing, — 
a veritable paradise ! Do you not find it 
fatiguing to care for so much bric-a-brac, 
tapestries, etc. ? " 

"No, my son; that is the grand part of 
it, — there are no moth and rust here, no dust 
and decay, and our belongings may be 
changed at will. But come, I wish to show 
you our imbibing-room." 

We moved as it were among a sea of 
crystal, silver, and gold. 

"But," I said, "certainly these dishes 
never contain food, as none is needed." 

" They may," my mother replied instantly. 
" Have you not already been refreshed ? " 

" Certainly; but the viands were dispensed 
from urns on the air to guests at an inn, to 
which we repaired for rest." 

35 



ECHOES FROM THE 

" Yes, I know there are various ways; but 
occasionally the old life returns with such 
force that we sit at table with a display of 
what you see here, and gratify our tastes 
for whatever is uppermost in our minds: 
strawberries and other delicious fruits, and 
vegetables after our own thinking. Thus 
you see we are not wholly detached from 
everything of earth, but likely the next time 
we locate for a space we will be farther up 
the valley, or wholly removed from it." 

" Indeed ! this is all very wonderful to 
me. But where are my companions of 
other years, — my sisters, and my brother ? " 

My mother's face grew thoughtful as she 
said: "John comes often, very often. The 
girls are here occasionally, and I think will 
be here in a short space, but they never 
stay long. Their mission is to the darkened 
minds of earth, as they can reach earth's 
36 



SPIRIT WOBLD. 

children with messages of love, to prepare 
them for a transit to this beautiful world. 
They are much interested in their work, 
and except for their long flights, would be 
gone a shorter space; but they are sent long 
distances, many times, to reach all the mem- 
bers of one family. 

"John, as you already know, was of a sci- 
entific turn of mind, and here he has oppor- 
tunity to investigate to his heart's content. 
He has been a student since coming here, 
and is nearly always away from me, either 
experimenting with the elements, or attend- 
ing classes for the prosecution of his studies, 
or at the centers of learning where profound 
knowledge upon these subjects is to be ob- 
tained, or attending convocations of the wis- 
dom of earth, which is now the wisdom of 
the spheres. Thus you see he has little 
space to spend in idleness. But here he 
comes. I thought he would be here soon." 

37 



ECHOES FROM THE 

"My dear, dear brother!" and my hands 
were both grasped in his warm clasp. ^' It 
is so good to see you, that we may have an 
interchange of thought and flow of soul. 
How often would I have let you know 
what to expect, but 'ye would not'; but 
when we meet here we are kin, for all the 
world beside is as naught to us, v/hen we 
have found our own. When did you ar- 
rive ? and who was your guide ? Were 
you sick long ? and how are the dear ones 
at home ?" 

All of which I answered as best I could ; 
after which, conversation turned to the future 
of each. 

I had not thought much about what / 
would do, when asked the question. 

I had spent my earth-life in a struggle 
with the world for a living, and now 
whither was I drifting, while my brother 
38 



8PIBIT WOULD. 

was only continuing what he began on 
earth? There was no cessation to his 
climbing; he was steadily progressing, — I 
could readily see that. Had chosen what 
to him would be congenial throughout all 
eternity, and, I thought, he has chosen the 
better part. Many mysteries he will ex- 
plore, many truths will bring to light, and 
all the while brought in contact with bril- 
liant minds, and the learned of all ages. 
How fortunate to have chosen so wisely! 

While these reflections were present, my 
brother seemed absorbed in some deep prob- 
lem. At length he said, " Do you know, 
Archie, I believe it will yet be possible to 
build a line of communication with our dear 
ones on earth, that they may know, f/iem- 
s elves, that we do still live? 

" The girls in their experience often find 
people they may communicate their thoughts 

39 



ECHOES FROM THE 

to, though / have not been so fortunate. 
All my visits to earth have been failures, so 
far as convincing any of my return; but 
there is a theory now being discussed by our 
chemists, that there will be many who will 
receive this knowledge, through their opera- 
tions. They have not the elements fully un- 
der subjection, but when they do any may 
appear to his friends who will.*' 

" This you are telling me is all quite won- 
derful, and I think I would like to begin the 
study of chemistry even at this late day." 

Finding my brother thoroughly satisfied 
with his vocation, and as it seemed to afford 
a great many advantages to the inquiring 
mind, I decided to start, and learn what I 
could of the wonderful chemistry of Nature. 
Here, of course, we are not dealing with sol- 
ids, but with their counterparts. 

It took me some space to adjust myself to 
40 



SPIRIT WORLD. 

the new situation, so different from anything 
I had ever experienced, but I was compelled 
to begin at the foundation. 

My brother took me with him, in his re- 
searches after scientific truth, which was in- 
deed an aid to me; but I was associated 
mostly with persons who, like myself, had 
not given any thought to this study before. 
Our teachers were the sages and learned, 
who were fully competent to instruct us. 

We made good progress, and found it 
very interesting. This line of action was 
far different from any that I should have 
thought of, yet I feel it was right, for I had 
all through my being a love of knowledge, 
whatever the department, and here might 
be the opportunity to do some good to 
others. This thought is uppermost here : 
*' Whom, of all the struggling ones, can we 
aid or benefit? " With this in view it was 

41 



ECHOES FROM THE 

easy to direct all my energies in the one 
channel. 

Finally, after a certain point in progress 
was reached, we were told we would now 
go on an exploring tour. This was hailed 
with glad delight by me, as it would break 
the monotony of constant study. However, 
we were to take a short vacation for rest, 
and each to pursue the even tenor of his 
ways ; but when coming together again we 
were to immediately set out on our mission. 
As may be readily supposed, my space was 
enjoyed in the home of my dear mother, as 
here I was always certain of a hearty wel- 
come ; this time becoming acquainted with 
the villagers, and renewing the acquaint- 
ance of a number of persons. This was in- 
deed a happy space, spent with my sisters 
and friends. They told me of their work 
and progress, and all seemed very wonder- 
ful to me. 

42 



SPIRIT WORLD. 

In the alchemy of science we have what 
is called the known law. This is the cen- 
tral point, and from this the unknown is de- 
duced. As in the material world, the laws 
of growth are the known law, and are ca- 
pable of explanation, yet the real element of 
life in that growth is the unkno\vn law, and 
cannot receive a satisfactory solution. We 
have learned that this element has its being 
at the center of the universe, and is induced 
by thought, as that is the only tangible 
thing in this whole universe of being. 
There must be an Entity to direct that 
thought, but as yet I have not beheld it. 
I with others have seen a display of power, 
but it is not the thing itself. 

Fully alive to my privileges, I joined the 
class on their tour of investigation, finding 
many strange and wonderful experiences as 
the result of research. We were aided by 

43 



ECHOES FROM TEE 

chemists of earth (unconsciously to them, of 
course), and many subjects treated scientif- 
ically in the upper stratum, now were ca- 
pable of full demonstration. The compounds 
of air, on the surface of the earth, afforded 
different elements from those we had been 
dealing with. 

Our professors were well pleased with 
our showing ; and, encouraged by their en- 
comiums, which were not withheld, we were 
induced to employ every visible means to 
further our profession, as this had now 
reallv come to be to me. 



44 



SPIRIT WORLD. 



Chapter V. 

"And can I see this light ? It may be so ; 

'But see it thus and thus,' our fathers said. 
The living do not rule the world. Ah, no! 
It is the dead, the dead." 

— Jean Ingelow. 

Pursuing these lines of thought, we were 
often given to deep, intricate study, such as 
rarely comes to mortal life, all of which I 
enjoyed with a zest only known to the 
hungry, famishing soul. I often met my 
brother in our journeyings, but as yet had 
not reached his high plane of development. 

Now I feel is the time for me to relate an 
incident fraught with more than ordinary 
interest : 

We were just returning from one of our 
exploring tours, when we were amazed to 

45 



ECHOES FROM THE 

find an obstruction in our way, which hin- 
dered our further progress. To surmount 
the barrier seemed impossible, and the only 
way out for us seemed to be to solve the 
problem. We set to work with wills not 
to be daunted, and in a brief space had 
brought to perfect order what at first seemed 
chaos and impending danger. However, 
we resolved not to magnify our discovery, 
but limit it to the rules governing such irreg- 
ularities; consequently our lesson was more 
thoroughly demonstrated, and henceforth 
we profited by what to us was a valuable 
lesson. 

Many, very many times we were brought 
in contact with persons of inquiring minds, 
which was an aid to us, for here, as on 
earth, minds of the same degree are associ- 
ated. There are ignoble souls struggling 
within the limits and confines of earth's 
46 



SPIRIT WORLD. 

sphere, but they are content with these sur- 
roundings of their kind, and only as the 
mind wishes to progress out of these condi- 
tions is it enabled to do so. 

Hardly had we found our bearings upon 
the time in question, when our minds were 
drawn to a former circumstance of such 
magnitude as to almost confound the wis- 
dom of our teachers. So we knew we were 
reaching the end of what might be learned 
in this sphere for us; and as we were told 
we must go on, we marveled within our- 
selves what we would do for instructors. 
But this did not last long, for there appeared 
others, whose missions were to look after 
us. And so we went on and on in the pur- 
suit of knowledge, hoping, believing we 
would reach the end, but as yet none in 
sight. We rest often and have relief from 
the constant strain that the mind must en- 

47 



ECHOES FROM THE 

dure when brought in constant contact with 
deep subjects, such as the astronomical and 
philosophical life of worlds, for there are 
myriads of them in the universe of being, 
which demand consideration at the hands of 
a scientist. Many scientists believe all life 
will be developed, in every portion of the 
universe, and where now only arid and bar- 
ren wastes exist, finally conditions will be 
favorable for propagation. 

I would like to relate many circumstances 
which gave me great pleasure, but must 
confine myself to a few sketches of this 
period of my progress. Many times I met 
old friends who were climbing to a higher 
plane, and we passed happy spaces together, 
recalling old scenes and reviewing the life 
already spent, and giving to earnest thought 
our problems for the future. The present 
we knew to be one of actuality, and we 
48 



SPIRIT WOBLD. 

would often speculate as to what the future 
might bring, as we are realizing the fact 
that we are endowed with life that seems to 
be endless. 

From force of habit, more than from any- 
real necessity, I longed to keep in touch 
with the old life. The dear ones that I had 
left helped to recall me to my once earth 
conditions, and I often longed to communi- 
cate to them the good news of my actual 
existence, and how it was with me, but so 
far had utterly failed. 

About this time I concluded to try once 
more, and thought that with the chemical 
knowledge I now possessed, I might be able 
to reach some of them. Hearing of a medi- 
atress in the same town with them, I re- 
solved to pay a visit to this person and 
ascertain if I might not send to my dear 
ones a message. Should I fail in this, I 
—4 49 



ECHOES FROM THE 

would then try to impress or control them. 
According to my thought, I found myself 
in the apartment of a refined and intelligent 
lady, whose guide promised me that he 
would give through her hand anything I 
might wish to communicate to my loved ones. 
Accordingly, I formulated my message, and 
had the great pleasure of knowing it was 
written down, with my own name signed to 
the document; and it gave me great satis- 
faction, for now^ I thought, they will surely 
know / have been here. The guide prom- 
ised to see that it was delivered to my wife. 
So now I must await the result. Therefore 
I took my departure from this place, and 
entered my own home. Everything was 
the same as when on that eve I went out 
from my home, as I thought, forever; for I 
did not then know the law of return, or 
communication with those in earth-life, or 

50 



SPIRIT WORLD. 

in fact one single spiritual law; but in my 
studies of the chemical laws of matter and 
spirit, had learned that spirit may become 
cognizant to spirit, through spirit in matter. 
How natural all seems! Here is my wife, 
just the same; looks the same, only with 
here and there a line of care I had not no- 
ticed before, and a few more silver threads 
mingled with the once golden hair; and 
now I see her walk, her step is not as firm 
as was her wont. "Oh, Emma! Emma!" 
I thought, "have they been good to you 
since I have been away, or what has caused 
you to sigh so often ? " Can it be that she 
thinks me dead, and as not caring for her ? 
This thought for the first time pierced my 
soul, and I exclaimed, "/ am not dead ! I 
am here by your side ! " At this it seemed 
to me she saw me, for she raised her head 
and looked straight at me, but I could see 
she directed her gaze to something beyond. 

51 



ECHOES FROM THE 

Turning, I saw the object of her gaze. 
My son had entered, and she joined in con- 
versation with him, and I realized he was 
the man of a family and had reached mid- 
dle life ; whereas when I left him he was 
but a lad of twelve summers. And I said, 
" How long I must have been gone ! No 
wonder the light has faded out of Emma's 
eyes, and her steps are slow. She has had 
much to contend with." 

While I yet wait, a ring at the door sends 
my wife out of the room. When she re- 
turned she bore in her hand the paper upon 
which my message was written. Let me 
here say this medium is noted for delivering 
all messages given to her, not only to those 
who have actually demonstrated this truth 
to their own satisfaction, but to those who 
know nothing, as yet, of these spiritual laws 
as well. 

52 



8PIBIT WORLD. 

Unfolding and reading, what to her was 
wonderful, she reads to the son. Poor hun- 
gry heart ! she is ready to accept, as coming 
from one so long gone, a message of love 
and greeting ; but the son said, '^ Mother, 
do not be deceived. Is it not likely father 
would come directly to us if he had any- 
thing to reveal to us, instead of this person, 
to whom he was a stranger, and who could 
possibly know nothing of him ? " 

"No, my son, this to me is proof positive 
that it is your father. This is a lady, I am 
told, of gifted powers, — an honest, upright 
woman, a person of fine endowments, kind 
and loving, possessed of this gift of com- 
munion with the other world ; and she could 
not possibly have known some of the things 
contained in this message. I have long 
wished for something from this source, and 
now my heart-longing is gratified. I will 
not turn away from it." 

53 



ECHOES FROM THE 

" Well, mother, I had no idea you enter- 
tained these views upon this subject, or for 
a minute believed the gone were here." 

" But I do, my son. Once I would not 
have admitted as much to you, but I feel 
that the time has come when each one must 
believe for herself and himself, and, if she 
gets evidence which to her is convincing, 
she ought to accept it and be thankful for 
it. If our loved ones are really living, they 
must be loving and thinking of us still, and 
this message is an evidence that it is a 
truth." 

" Well ! / thought you had changed your 
views upon this subject since I last heard 
you talk. We will look forward to many 
such scenes, if this is your belief." 

The son, always wise, said no more upon 
the subject, and remarked " he had run in of 
a little errand, which done, he must return, 

54 



SPIRIT WORLD. 

as they would be waiting dinner." Said 
the children were well, and all was going 
smoothly, — which was the first intimation, 
that I was grandpa. How proud I felt, 
and with what vanity did I walk with my 
son to see those grand-babies ! 

Well, it was a delight to my soul, yet no 
one noticed my arrival or departure, and in 
this home I did not feel the same exultant 
joy that possessed me in the home of my 
wife. As may be readily seen, here was a 
germ that would grow, and in this growing 
I was yet to find much satisfaction. Hear- 
ing the message read gave me great hope 
that my wife, who seemed deeply interested, 
would make an effort to come in contact 
with this person, through whom I could 
reach her. At last, after due deliberation, I 
saw the resolve forming in her mind, that 
she would investigate this subject, and be 
55 



ECHOES FROM THE 

convinced, for herself, whether this message 
was of earth or Heaven — as she called it. 
The one test in the message helped to form 
this resolve, and accordingly she repaired to 
the home of this medium. 

Her experience was much the same as 
that known to all persons who for a time 
give themselves up to the study of the oc- 
cult — now hope, now disappointment ; but 
finally triumph was hers. She came to the 
firm conclusion that the messages were au- 
thentic, and that her husband was their 
author. 

How happy this made me, only those 
who have had a like experience can know. 
I sent long and loving messages, and re- 
ceived the same in return. When I told her 
I was constantly with her, she could not re- 
alize this; so I did not puzzle her brain with 
the thought, but would wait for this knowl- 
56 



SPIRIT WORLD. 

edge to come in its own good time. I did 
not have to wait long, however, for within 
a very short space my utmost wish was to 
be gratified. My wife had now formed 
many acquaintances among those who were 
students of the laws of the occult, and this 
helped to lead her mind on in the direction 
in which it at this time was inclined and 
anxious to go. 

Hearing of the arrival in the city of a re- 
nowned medium, my wife very properly re- 
paired to the home of this party. As to my- 
self, I was usually found at the place where 
there was any hope of manifesting to her, 
who as yet was the only one of my friends in 
earth-life that I had succeeded in reaching. 

Thinking to add another testimony of my 

presence, I strove to make her know by 

stroking her hair. This was not successful. 

Then I stood before her in my brightest cos- 

57 



ECHOES FROM THE 

tume, but all to no purpose, evidently, as she 
paid no attention to me. So I must content 
myself with a message to my best beloved, 
and bide the space when I might come 
nearer to her consciousness. 

My mind was for the present absorbed in 
this one sole object of making my individual 
presence known to her, the soul of my being, 
whom I loved and longed, oh, so eagerly to 
impress with my veritable presence ! 

At this point, my mind was drawn to 
the position that I occupied in the soul of 
universe, and it occurred to me that I had 
already been absent from my studies and 
teachers as long, perhaps, as my vacation 
would permit ; that I must return to pursue 
that boundless line of progress that is never 
ending during the infinitude of space. 

Mingled thoughts of gladness and sorrow, 
as upon that first eve when I took my de- 
58 



SPIRIT WORLD. 

parture, possessed me. To leave Emma, 
caused me a thrill of sadness. Would I 
could take her with me ; but this cannot be, 
now. "I will come often," I thought, "and 
give her a message, regardless of the long 
flights that are tiresome and cause exhaus- 
tion." And with this I bade my dear one 
good-by for a space. 



59 



ECHOES FROM THE 



Chapter VI. 

*' She is not dead, — the child of our affection, — 
But gone unto that school 
Where she no longer needs our poor protection, 
And Christ himself doth rule. 

*'In that great cloister's stillness and seclusion, 
By guardian angels led, 
Safe from temptation, safe from sin's pollution. 
She lives whom we call dead." 

— Longfellow. 

In the boundaries of life, we are often led 
to understand the intricate problems which 
to us were simply appalling at first, and out 
of the usual routine; but with due familiarity 
with any subject, the im.possible is borne away 
on the wings of the probable. Thus it was 
with my wife : as she became accustomed 
to receiving my messages, her mind was con- 
vinced of the truth of my being in her at- 
60 



SPIBIT WOBLD. 

mosphere, and all went well with her. Yet 
my son was not at all certain that this could 
be. The old teachings still held his mind 
in abeyance, and whether he would or not, 
he could see nothing in the idea of per- 
sonal contact with spirit existence. He and 
his mother held long conversations upon the 
theme, which to her was fast becoming a 
joy ; but he could not look beyond the veil 
of flesh and behold the operations of spirit. 
Though willing to be convinced, he said, he 
could not be. 

Meanwhile, I was busy between the two, 
in my intervals of respite from study and 
exploration. Finally, the time came when 
I could give him a prophecy. Ere two 
weeks, his darling Edith, the lamb of his 
flock, would be with me. Thus I wrote, 
and my wife delivered the naessage. What 
could it mean ? Heretofore, he had feared 
6i 



ECHOES FROM THE 

for his mother's mind, and now he was cer- 
tain she was becoming unbalanced. What 
should he do ! This was certainly an evi- 
dence of its unsoundness, as Edith was in 
perfect health. So he reasoned, but he did 
not have long to wait, to see the message 
verified. The little life went out to the 
great sea of infinite life, and her grandpa 
met and comforted her in her loss, for only 
as each one comes can he realize the hungry 
longing to communicate with those he leaves 
behind. If all mortals understood this law 
by which we can come, what a benediction 
it would be to both the arisen and the re- 
maining spirits ! 

It was not easy to make the little girl of 
three years comfortable, as she would grieve 
long at not being recognized by mamma 
and papa ; but I told her that sometime I 
thought they would know she was there. It 
62 



SPIRIT WORLD. 

was indeed a trial to me, as she could not 
comprehend the meaning of the changed 
life, and it was very hard to reconcile her. 
She would mourn for the love and care which 
was part of her life. I was an utter stranger 
to her, yet, by the ties of nature, very near. 
But she could not understand this ; so I 
thought, "I will bear her away and place 
her with other children — then her little 
heart will be satisfied ; " and it was, in a 
measure. She joined in their merry sports, 
and for a time forgot her loss. 

I was much relieved at what seemed to 
be a reconciliation to her present environ- 
ments. I carefully looked after her in- 
struction, and selected her teacher with the 
utmost care, — one who was in every way 
fitted to discharge the duty assigned ; for 
here there are souls whose sole love is to 
guide and guard the little children who pass 

63 



ECHOES FROM THE 

in infancy. These children are Angels of 
Light, and " may behold His face." They 
are taken long flights, and their purity es- 
tablishes their right to come into the pres- 
ence of Infinite Spirit, conveyed thither by 
angels who like themselves have passed in 
the stage of purity, before the blighting dis- 
eases of the soul have entered into their or- 
ganisms. Thus Edith is being trained for 
her mission, and I am watching with a pride 
which I am sure will be pardoned by those 
who have had the life of a little sinless child, 
touch their being. 



64 



SPIEIT WOELD. 



Chapter VII. 

*' Thank God for dreams ! When nothing else is left, 

When the sick soul, all tortured with its pain, 
Knowing itself forevermore bereft. 

Finds waiting hopeless, and all watching vain. 
When empty arms grow rigid with their ache. 

When eyes are blinded with sad tide of tears. 
When stricken hearts do suffer yet not break, 

For loss of those who come not with the years, — 
Thank God, thank God for dreams ! " 

— Ella Wheeler Wilcox. 

The events of the last chapter produced a 
profound impression upon my son's mind, 
and he thought it strange, very strange. 
How w^as this thing ? Could his father 
really talk to him and give him direction, or 
was it merely a coincidence ? But, thought 
he, they do not often happen as accurately 
as this event was portrayed and fulfilled. 
What was he to do ? He formed in his 

-5 65 



ECHOES FROM THE 

own mind a resolution to investigate for 
himself, and in this he was upheld by his 
noble wife, who was inclined from the first 
to credit the messages; and now that her 
darling was borne from her sight, she 
grasped at what might be an opportunity 
to hear from her. 

The time was well spent, for it was my 
privilege to give him hope and encourage- 
ment, with now and then substantial tests, 
which more firmly bound his life to that of 
the real being, and many, very many times 
Edith accompanied me on these missions of 
love to the dear ones of earth, and her little 
life was made glad that papa and mamma 
knew now that she could come. Dear, pa- 
tient little Edith! I cannot now recall all 
those scenes without a throb of joy and a 
moist eye, as I beheld her rapture at being 
permitted to caress her loved ones; but she 
66 



SPIRIT WORLD. 

was becoming more reconciled to her situa- 
tion, and had come to look upon me as her 
guardian. All went well, and we were 
both very happy, — glad to be able to give 
the light regarding the place we were in, 
and to relieve the minds so filled with anxi- 
ety. Many times we lingered near our homes 
on earth, finding sweet solace, and again re- 
turning to our work, which was fast be- 
coming very important to us. 

Making an effort one day, we were noting 
the action of the planetary system, and find- 
ing the unknown supersedes the known. 
Our solution of the solvent problems greatly 
astonished us, as they were so out of propor- 
tion to all relative essence. Here etherial 
essence predominates, and our calculations 
are based upon this instead of solids. 

Feeling a longing to further demonstrate, 
it was proposed by some member of the 
67 



ECHOES FROM THE 

class that we make a tour, and that in con- 
nection with the reflex action thus produced, 
we would eliminate the discrepancy. Good! 
No sooner thought of than done. Off we 
go. Mars is passed, Mercury in sight. Ah! 
we see thy light is the refracting power 
that caused the dense glow to our obstruc- 
tion. Now we note the space, now the re- 
fracting pow^er; now we know the whole 
law. It is much greater to discover and 
master a law than to travel in the old beaten 
lines. Theories are good, but actual dem- 
onstration is better. 

Hearing by my sister that my mother was 
anxious to see me, I had for the space no 
rest until I repaired with little Edith to her 
home. How joyfully I related to her the 
events of my experience! She received with 
glad delight the beautiful child, whom to 
know was a joy unspeakable. Always a 
68 



SPIBIT WORLD. 

lover of little children, with their innocent, 
pretty ways, my mother was inclined to 
idolize this pet of our household, who had 
so early been transplanted to the Garden of 
Paradise, as it was to my mother. Here she 
could indulge her esthetic taste to the fullest 
extent without in the least infringing upon 
the rights of another. My father, too, 
greeted us with the affectionate kindness of 
one becoming his relationship, and bade us 
to be perfectly at home. Edith soon learned 
to love her great-grandparents, and her little 
heart clung in fondness to my mother, who 
used her utmost endeavors to interest and 
entertain the little girl. She was greatly 
interested in the beautiful things she saw in 
my mother's home, and declared she " never 
had seen anything so grand before." The 
rare and beautiful plants claimed most of her 
attention, as there was a fine variety of rare 
69 



ECHOES FROM TEE 

exotics of all climes. My mother had in 
earth-life cultivated and cared for numberless 
plants, as she was a great lover of plant- 
life, — in fact, of the beautiful in every form. 

We w^ere most happily entertained, and 
upon the eve of our departure many of the 
villagers gathered to bring us cheer in our 
future work. 

Mingled joy and sorrow is the sum of 
human existence, no less out of the physical 
body than in it. What seems progress to- 
day may in a few short spaces be a low con- 
dition; so it is necessary to keep striving, to 
keep journeying on in pursuit of knowl- 
edge, lest we arrive not at what most would 
gratify our insatiate love of learning. Who 
aims at the stars will surely attain to greater 
heights than he who casts his thought upon 
earth. In the sublimial sphere, mind finds 
greatest power, attains to its most perfect 
70 



SPIRIT WOBLD. 

possessions, is master of all supplemental 
analogies, and creates its own aphorisms. 

Students of science deal in correct forms, 
thoroughly imbued with correlating sub- 
stance. 

Etherial ethics is the base from which all 
deductions are made. 

Striving to undo the wrongs perpetrated 
when the mind was in a puissant state, is one 
of the sorrows of the upper spheres. Be it 
known that it is very hard. We have passed 
from that stage of existence, and no more are 
correlated to it ; hence it is out of our micro- 
cosm for us to be obliged to induce our minds 
to correspondence in the altruistic sense, 
hence it is better, grander, to so do in the 
first step of our existence, that we shall not 
be obliged to retrace our acts and correct our 
lives. 

We should do as our best judgment dic- 

71 



ECHOES FROM THE 

tates ; then there will be no inharmony in 
our being, but all vibrations will be on the 
same plane, and this equalization of our be- 
ing will produce perfect power. "All power 
is given unto men," and when rightly under- 
stood is the direct result of our own actions. 
How important, then, that we act wisely, as 
we are subject to this inexorable law, whether 
we will or no. 

In being compelled to act out of harmony, 
or in other words, upon two planes of being, 
we are retarded in our progress, as it is not 
always easy to find a mediator to act through, 
as you understand we must now act through 
the mind of another, and if we can reach our 
friend, and undo the wrong, we are fortu- 
nate, and find we can then progress. 



72 



SPIBIT WORLD. 



Chapter VIII. 

"Whatever scene 
Nature revealed to me, she never caught 
My spirit humbled by surprise. My thought 
Built higher mountains than I ever found ; 
Poured wilder cataracts than I ever saw ; 
Drove grander storms than ever swept the sky ; 
Pushed into loftier heavens and lower hells 
Than the abysmal reach of light and dark ; 
And entertained me with diviner feasts 
Than ever met the appetite of sense." 

— /. G. Holland. 

Clearly, I see now my space has been oc- 
cupied with prosperous results. 

Pondering the past, I longed to revisit the 
home of my childhood, where so many happy 
hours were spent with loved ones now scat- 
tered, filling the missions designed by the 
Creator and Preserver of the vast sea of 
life ; for all is boundless life, — there is no 
death. Simply desiring a thing is equal to 

73 



ECHOES FROM THE 

that thing. So I found myself walking the, 
to me, then familiar streets, but now very un- 
familiar. There are some places I recognize 
as not having undergone much change; they 
seem quite natural, very much as they used 
to be; but in the main, the hand of progress 
stamps the onward march of my native town. 
Fine straw-colored bricks take the place 
of the wooden structures that once inclosed 
the public square. An air of prosperity 
pervades the place, and now they can boast 
the possession of the electric cars to convey 
them about the streets, which present the 
appearance of business prosperity. I passed 
in and out of the various places of business 
(unobserved, of course) in search of a famil- 
iar face, but failed for some space to recog- 
nize any of the inhabitants, but finally, 
passing a familiar corner, came fully face 
to face with one who in my young man- 

74 



SPIRIT WORLD. 

hood I remembered as the Widow Brown's 
youngest child, Charles. There was no re- 
semblance between the gray-haired, bent 
old man that I beheld, and the laughing 
little child that I remembered ; yet we know 
by intuition. Here is where this faculty 
has the largest play. The years have dealt 
hardly with you, my friend, as evidenced 
by your measured step, but you have not 
many years. The kind angel will call ere 
long, and usher you into immortal life, for 
many times this change is kinder than life 
in a suffering body. 

But I will pass on, will turn down the 
street that once held for me all my dear 
ones in the home nest. 

The scenes are changed, and I am not 
certain as to the very location, but think 
that fine brick there in the middle of the 
block has taken the place of the small 

75 



ECHOES FROM THE 

wooden structure, where my kind father 
and mother were wont to hover their brood. 
We were not a large family, yet it kept my 
father busy to supply the wants of four 
growing girls and boys. I felt a little sad 
in contemplating the scene, but thought, 
why should I ? We are so much greater 
than our environments, and we have all of 
us outgrown our old conditions. 

I did not care to linger here, as all seemed 
strangers, and unrecognizable. 

I thought, I will repair to the edge of 
town, where we boys used to have such fine 
fun coasting. Ah ! yes, the hill is there, 
that is unchanged, and the fence and the 
meadow hard by. This is the same, and I 
gave a sigh of relief that I had at last found 
one spot unchanged. Here was where we 
capsized with sleds into the snowdrifts, and 
had such fun digging our way out. Ah ! 
76 



SPIRIT WORLD. 

those were happy days we spent in this old 
town. But hark ! I hear the shrill whistle of 
a locomotive, and I look across the meadow 
and there in the distance I discern the smoke 
of the monster of iron and flame, and I 
thought, this playing-ground too is changed ; 
and with a sad heart I left my reveries of 
childhood days, to return to Edith, whom I 
was sure longed to see me by this time. 

Standing on the brink between two worlds, 
one feels an utter longing to fathom the 
heights and depths of the one in which his 
environments are cast. The one he has left 
still holds a hallowed place in his memory. 
The scenes of former years come more viv- 
idly before his mind, and all is treasured with 
tender affection. The mind receives the 
events as they are unrolled as from a scroll. 

Many, very many happy scenes are borne 
in upon my life, and I treasure them as pre- 
77 



ECHOES FROM THE 

cious mementoes of friends long since passed 
to upper spheres, where I hope some day to 
arrive. Remember, progress in spirit-life is 
in one respect the same as earth-life — slow. 
Nature is never in haste in unfoldment. All 
life develops its forms to maturity with great 
caution and deliberation, hence the assured 
fact of perfection. Since physical finds per- 
fect development in physical life, mind will 
arrive at a perfect state in spiritual life. 

My wife next claimed a thought from 
me, and I repaired to her home. 

" My dear, dear Emma! How have you 
been ? It seems to me you look careworn 
and weary. Would I could fold you in my 
arms and bear you away with me, no more 
to be parted ; but this may not be yet, and 
I must be patient." She receives my mes- 
sages, and her eyes brighten at the sound of 
my name, and her cheeks wear the roses as 

78 



SPIRIT WORLD. 

in the long ago when she was young. Ah, 
love! thou greatest element to beings given, 
thou leveler of all ranks ! At thy magic 
touch we become new creatures. What do 
we not owe to thy entrancing power! If 
we have not love, we are most miserable 
indeed. So my heart's longing was grati- 
fied when in the presence of her I loved. 
We are not changed in these respects; if 
one is so fortunate as to have a soul-mate, 
he clings with the same affectionate fond- 
ness to that one. Love is an emanation of 
the soul, and only such ties should be formed 
as will be enduring. So it will be seen that 
I had loved wisely, for there was the same 
union of soul that there had been through 
the many years of wedded life; and now 
that I could reach her with my thought, it 
was greater pleasure to me than to converse 
with her in the old way. My son, too, now 

79 



ECHOES FROM THE 

took more interest in these messages, and 
received much comfort from believing that 
we could come in touch with them. He 
was quite a mediator, and got some good 
proofs himself. His wife possessed the gift 
of clairvoyance, and often told him she 
could see little Edith. Thus affairs went 
on, until their development was marvelous. 

My son had succeeded me in the store, and 
stood now where I had stood a few short 
years ago. This troubled me much, as I had 
hoped he would choose a literary work, as 
that would better have fitted the mind for 
its future fulfillment, for I learned to my 
sorrow after my transition, that whatever ef- 
fort put forth in the right direction is not and 
cannot be lost, but all efforts looking solely 
to mercenary gain are as time wasted to the 
soul. 

I sent long messages to my son, explaining 
80 



SPIRIT WORLD. 

these things, and begged him to change his 
occupation to one that would be a stimulant 
to the mind, and in which the mind would 
develop its faculties, and bring it to its full- 
est fruition. This is one of the important 
elements in development of soul. It must 
all be evolved from the inner. "The king- 
dom of heaven is within you," but it requires 
that we disseminate and bring to the surface, 
before it becomes visible. " It comes not 
with observation." 

Oh, how easily I now understand the say- 
ings of the Great Teacher, who labored so 
assiduously to enlighten the people with re- 
gard to the spiritual truths. 



—6 8i 



ECHOES FROM THE 



Chapter IX. 

*'Like the swift moon that slides from cloud to cloud, 
With only hurried space to smile between, 

I pierce the phantoms that around me crowd, 
And glide from scene to scene. 

*'I clasp warm hands that long have lain in dust, 
I hear sweet voices that have long been still, 

And earth and sea give up their hallowed trust 
In answer to my will. 

*'And now, high-gazing toward the starry dome, 
I see three airy forms come floating down — 

The long- lost angels of my early home — 
My night of joy to crown." 

— /. G. Holland. 

With what pleasure does the absent mari- 
ner arrive in sight of home, and just in the 
same proportion do we journey upward, only 
with greater alacrity, as all our faculties are 
intensified. We yearn for glimpses of the, 
to us, still beyond, and hope fills the breast, 
that we may reach the Celestial Realm. 
82 



SPIBIT WORLD. 

Yet I cannot say that, to me would be satis- 
factory while I have dear ones on earth, as 
this, I am told, is a bar to completeness, for 
the mind is divided, and we are supposed at 
this point to be only capable of going for- 
ward, not wishing to turn back. It is only 
when we have reached the ultimate that we 
ever become satisfied. 

Duty well done to others in earth-life is an 
aid to our progress here, and it is very nec- 
essary to our well-being that we cultivate the 
graces of heart and mind, which are the di- 
rect adjuncts of purity. 

One cannot so fully realize these things as 
when he has crossed the boundary, and be- 
holds the mass of spiritual life struggling 
with former error. Perverted teaching is 
largely to blame for much of the misery 
they are compelled to endure. Wrong- 
doing brings its own punishment, is a law 

83 



ECHOES FROM THE 

truthful, and must be endured with what 
grace we can muster. Wrong to others, 
persisted in, is the cause of much heart- 
rending misery on this side ; and I wish 
here to utter a note of warning, to those 
who will hear, that the soul cannot rid itself 
of these stains, or of the sins against the uni- 
versal laws of life. To wantonly disrupt 
and sever the spirit from the body, is a 
disastrous occurrence to the individual, as 
in the case of suicide. It is mournful to be- 
hold the remorse depicted on these spirits. 
Chained by a law as forcible as the law of 
gravitation, they must remain in this condi- 
tion until some kind earth-friend will permit 
them, through them, to undo the wrongs 
they have committed, and work in right di- 
rections, until this condition is gotten out of, 
and sometimes it takes aeons of space. 

Again I say to children of earth, be con- 
84 



SPIRIT WORLD. 

tent in your environment, until the good 
time comes when Nature, the kind mother, 
will release you, with your work all accom- 
plished ; then there will be nothing in the 
way of sure development. It is better to 
bear the ills you have for a season, as time 
is short. 

With these reveries, I will leave you, 
reader, to your own reflection, hoping you 
will accept as truth, what one who has 
passed beyond has found true, and gives 
to you through this agency for your ben- 
efit, that you may avoid the misery so many 
are obliged to endure. 



85 



ECHOES FROM THE 



Chapter X. 

"All houses wherein men have lived and died 

Are haunted houses. Through the open doors 
The harmless phantoms on their errands glide, 
With feet that make no sound upon the floor. 

"We meet them at the doorway, on the stair, 
Along the passages they come and go, 
Impalpable impressions on the air, 

A sense of something moving to and fro. 

"There are more guests at table than the host 
Invited : the illuminated hall 
Is thronged with quiet, inoffensive ghosts, 
As silent as the pictures on the wall." 

— Longfello w. 

Judging from outward circumstances, is 
certainly a very erroneous judgment. Many 
times the mind conveys to its recipient 
thoughts clothed w^ith elegant language, 
yet the instrument is not in proper condi- 
86 



8PIBIT WOBLD. 

tion to convey this message to the world ; 
hence the mind is charged with blame, when 
really the cause lies beyond, and in the hid- 
den labyrinth. 

Mind can never attain to its fullest fru- 
ition while hindered by its environment, 
and thus it becomes absolutely necessary 
to provide a way for its release from the 
bondage to the flesh, to give freedom to its 
powers. 

To the freed spirit all the operations of 
nature become wonderfully perfect. 

The wisdom of all the manifold arrange- 
ments is appreciated mere fully than can 
possibly be while limited environments sur- 
round us. 

The absolutely freed spirit, /. ^., after all 
earth -conditions have been laid aside, (as 
none are free until this point is reached,) 
finds its possibilities boundless. Positively 

87 



ECHOES FROM THE 

no limitations exist to such an one. Not 
how much of life you have lived, previously, 
but how well^ is the only passport required 
here. Have you been thoughtful, loving 
and kind, willing to lay down your life, if 
need be, for those given into your keeping ? 
— " for greater love hath no man than this." 
We know the teachings of this spiritual 
guide are true, and the only rules by which 
our lives can be ordered, this much, for 
some say they do not know what is right. 
This is only an error of mind, the soul 
knows. No one can go wrong if he looks 
within for a few seconds. The inner soul- 
sense, or conscience, is the true guide. It 
cannot be perverted. The mind may be 
drawn away, and judgment impaired, but 
the soul is the same, to be relied upon al- 
ways. There are doubts in the minds of 
some, others know for a surety ; but it is to 
88 



SPIBIT WOULD. 

those who do not know that I am talking, 
and would fully impress with the duties of 
each hour in passing. 

Do not neglect opportunities. Experience 
in the first stage is wrought and then mis- 
takes are magnified to your vision. This is 
the cause of remorse that will fill the soul, 
and retard your future progress, as all mis- 
takes must be corrected before one step in 
advance can be gained. This is why it is so 
important that the events of each moment 
in time be looked to carefully. I could fill 
your hearts with anguish, should I relate to 
you the despair of many souls I have met 
in spirit, who seem utterly hopeless and 
their lives wholly given over to the revel- 
ries and debaucheries of their favorite haunts 
on earth. No ray nor spark of soul seems 
to illuminate their darkened minds, and thus 
they grovel on. You have them on your 
89 



ECHOES FROM THE 

plane, and they remain the same. It is not 
true that at transition the soul leaves these 
elements behind. It only leaves the dis- 
eased body ; the mind is the same, and pur- 
poses and inclinations are the same. We 
can do nothing for them here. The work 
must be done on earth. Now I appeal to 
all readers to do whatever they can to alle- 
viate the sufferings of these souls, by point- 
ing them to the better way, the way of 
peace and purity ; and especially do I ap- 
peal to the mediators who do so well know 
this truth, to pity them, and permit them 
to come and through their aid undo the 
wrongs of the past. Many are aroused to this 
necessity, and are groping around in their 
poor weak way, trying to reach those on 
earth, whom it is necessary for them to do. 

I feel my utter inability to make these 
truths forcible enough. They should be 
90 



SPIEIT WORLD. 

proclaimed from every housetop and in all 
the byways and hedges, until — 

The echo of every mountain, 

The murmur of every rill, 
Proclaim the tender message. 

Our loved are with us still. 



91 



ECHOES FROM THE 



Chapter XI. 

"The spirit world around this world of sense 
Floats like an atmosphere, and everywhere 
Wafts through these earthly mists and vapors dense 
A vital breath of more etherial air." 

— Longfellow. 

Moving in circles, we find our paramount 
existence. We tend to straight lines only, 
when reflex action is greatest ; thus our move- 
ments are circumscribed, and only that we 
persevere in these laws, we would become 
discouraged. We must ever strive to master, 
as in earth-life. You know that there, only 
as we learn the laws of perfect physical be- 
ing, and adhere to them, are we said to be 
in perfect health. So it is here. There are 
laws of our spiritual being which are as in- 
exorable, and must be mastered. It is not 
92 



SPIBIT WORLD. 

possible that the spirit-man can understand 
these things while wrapped in the body of 
flesh, nor was it intended that he should. 

Mind travels in advance of its limitations 
always ; this is why it is said to grow. It 
expands and develops. How important that 
it be in the right direction, for its own good! 

Millions have chosen the wrong road, and 
find too late that they have mistaken the 
tenacity with which they are bound to their 
load. They cannot shake off this burden, 
neither can they flee from it. It must be 
borne with what grace they can muster, un- 
til the way is found to redeem themselves 
from these wrong acts. 

Now do not say in your mind as you read 
this, it may be so. I say positively, it is so. 
And now that we can come in communica- 
tion with you on the mortal plane, it be- 
comes our duty to warn you, lest you fall 

93 



ECHOES FBOM THE 

into these pitfalls. If I shall have caused 
one soul to realize this, and " look well unto 
his ways lest when he thinks he stands he 
should fall," the mission of this little book 
will be accomplished. Our business here is 
to do good, and of course the greatest good 
to the greatest number; the better for us, 
the more contentment is ours. 

" Coming events cast their shadows be- 
fore," and I felt something was going to 
happen. 

I visited my wife, and found her ill. She 
did not seem to be conscious of things go- 
ing on around her, and I said, "Now, I 
must not leave you, but be present to usher 
you into your new experience" — for such 
would be the case before many days. Kind 
friends and neighbors did what they could 
to supply temporal needs, and make com- 
fortable the body. My son was constantly 

94 



SPIRIT WORLD. 

at his mother's side, with only now and 
then a little respite for rest and nourish 
ment. Clearly, he knew his mother was 
passing from his sight, and he with his 
faithful wife granted her every wish, as 
though it would be the last. 

Finally, I was pleased to see the golden 
chord severed, that bound her to her body, 
and she floated out with me into broad 
space. 

I took her at once from the scene of her 
release, as this is much the best. She real- 
ized at once the full capacity of her free- 
dom, and her pleasure at finding me was 
ecstatic. It is all so new to her, she can 
scarcely believe her senses, yet does not 
fear for the old conditions. She has builded 
her house well, much better than I had done, 
and will have less regret. But we must 
find Edith and mother, with all the dear 

95 



ECHOES FROM THE 

ones on this side, and tell them the good 
news. 

There are times in our existence when we 
feel the rapid flow of vitalizing force. We 
may not know what to name it, but it is 
the life designed by Infinite Mind. Many 
times, however, this force is brought to us 
by a power designated messenger, sent by 
Infinite Mind. "Are they not all minister- 
ing spirits?" I would answer, "No, not 
all, as some are not qualified for this office ; 
but many times mortals receive help through 
this source, to them unknown." 

It is accepted as a matter of course, and 
no thought is given to the source, which 
may be some of the " near and dear de- 
parted," as is their wont to say, though 
not departed in any sense, but living and 
near you still. This of course cannot be 
realized unless you have investigated these 
96 



SPIRIT WORLD. 

laws. Let me tell you, it is very easy to 
become cognizant of these facts yourselves. 
Sit down passively in the silence, and let 
the inner or spiritual nature be revealed ; 
then, when your mind is passive, those 
around you make themselves known. If 
not the first time, then persevere a second, 
and so on, until you know what you get is 
not your own thought. " Enter into your 
closet," and there receive instruction from 
Infinite Mind. 

I wonder now, that I did not learn these 
things when in earth-life. Had I done so, 
it would have aided me in reaching my loved 
ones. But now that I have my wife with 
me, my thought is often given to my son. 

Upon reaching her home (as one was 
fashioned for her by my thought), my wife 
agreed that all was very wonderful. She 
had never dreamed of the delights in store 

—7 97 



ECHOES FROM THE 

for her, and at once became content, not 
seeming to care for further progress. Of 
course this was in a measure due to her 
having found me, and as she said, that was 
all she wanted. But after becoming accus- 
tomed to the change, she looked around for 
employment. This is one of the redeeming 
elements of being; action, continual action. 
This adds zest to life on any plane. The 
soul is not happy without means of devel- 
opment, and to this end must be constantly 
employed. 

She went to see Edith, and kept in her 
company for some time, but decided that 
the child was happier with those of her 
own age, so did not disturb the plan I had 
adopted in regard to her. She went with 
me on my explorations, but did not enjoy 
traversing the long distances, and did not 
seem inclined to adopt this as her work. I 
98 



SPIRIT WORLD. 

did not press the matter, as here each one 
follows his or her own inclinations. 

Finally, after my return one day, she 
said: "I have it! I will accept the call as 
messenger to earth. Your sisters have been 
instructing me in their lines of work, and I 
think I should like it." 

"Very well," said I; "you are capable of 
much good in that direction, and I feel you 
have chosen very wisely. When will you 
commence your work ? " 

" Shortly. I shall want to go to our son 
first, and then to other of my dear friends." 

" Shall you need company or assistance 
on your first journey ? " But she thought 
not; so I subsided, and mused with my own 
thoughts, until she broke the silence with — 

" T do not see how your mother can pos- 
sibly content herself to do as she does, — just 
stay with the surroundings of home." 

99 



ECHOES FROM THE 

" Well, Emma, you know mother was of 
a very domestic turn of mind always, and 
now she has enjoyment to its fullest extent 
in that home." 

" But how does her mind develop with 
this mode of doing? " 

" You do not realize that my mother does 
much good in that home. Many a weary 
spirit seeks her broad verandas for rest and 
encouragement. She refreshes them with 
aromas of her best viands, and recuperates 
their fagged-out condition. 

" You know she is well on to the Celestial 
Realm, and many, very many pass that way. 
Yes, mother does a work none of us could 
do. With her love of the beautiful, and 
surrounding herself with these elements, 
her home is permeated with the very es- 
sence of repose. How long will I remem- 
ber my first visit there ! You know here it 

lOO 



SPIBIT WORLD. 

is not, how much we do, but how well, the 
same as before ; this law is not changed." 

"Yes, I see it now," my wife replied; 
" and I see I must leave off judging, for 
'with what judgment I judge, I shall be 
judged,' and after choosing my work, if 
some one should be unkind enough to judge 
me, how badly I should feel ! Now I see 
this is the place to fulfill these laws of life, I 
shall be careful to make a practical applica- 
tion of them to myself. But come, let us be 
going." 

"Oh! I thought you wanted to try alone 
your first effort." 

" No ; I believe, upon further considera- 
tion, I prefer that you accompany me, as 
the lines cross so many times I may become 
entangled." 

She referred to the magnetic line, that, as 
she said, seemed to be crossed ; yet there is 

lOI 



ECHOES FROM THE 

no danger whatever. A mother's Hne to 
her child would be exact, and she could not 
miss it. However, I will accompany her on 
this, her first errand of mercy. 



SPIRIT WORLD. 



Chapter XII. 

"Be silent in that solitude 
Which is not loneliness — for then 
The spirits of the dead who stood 
In life before thee are again 
In death around thee, and their will 
Shall overshadow thee : be still." 

— Edgar Allan Poe. 

Rejoicing ever in the thought that we 
are wholly cognizant of the forms manifest 
in space, we grow toward our ideals; we 
merge our thought into being, triumphant 
in energy. Thinking is merely living on 
the higher planes. Acting is carrying our 
thought out in visible form. 

Momentarily we expand an idea, evolved 
from the inner or soul sense, and broaden 
the idea into waves of infinity. Much of 

103 



ECHOES FROM THE 

this logic you cannot understand while in 
your present sphere, but I have endeavored 
to give you only that which you may ap- 
propriate and practice now. All time is 
now. There is a future time, only as it is 
correlated to the past; but when it arrives, 
it is the present. So it is in this sphere: all 
space is the present and now. Each inter- 
val lived is correlated to that behind and 
before, so that, strictly speaking, there is 
only the present. The possibilities of future 
space are ours, but farther than that, we 
know not. 

The soul retains all its possessions. This 
is why it is so needful to make those ac- 
quirements carefully; to sift its privileges 
and select the choicest, that there be no need 
for weeding here. Mark well your course. 
Listen to the "still small voice," which will 
ever guide aright. 

104 



SPIRIT WORLD. 

Monumental sacrifice is well rewarded. 
The soul who has borne patiently, is sweet 
with loving thought for others here, and 
such have a radiance of spirit much to be 
desired. Their light follows them, and 
kindness ever awaits their coming. Who 
would not endure a few short years of 
privation, to be enabled to reap such a re- 
ward? Remember, it is their own doing. 
" What ye sow, that shall ye reap." If you 
sow to the spirit, you shall be benefited in 
spiritual things. This may not have been di- 
rectly the object, — the reaping, but it is the 
direct outcome, of well-doing. Who does 
not know this? — and yet, every day we are 
pained with the iniquity that abounds. Life 
is a flower garden, which if rightly cultiva- 
ted not only gives the mortals much pleas- 
ure, but the aroma extends to us beyond 
your ken. Let me admonish you to good 
105 



ECHOES FROM THE 

deeds, before it is too late, for then it will 
be a great deal harder for you. 

I think right here I will relate a little cir- 
cumstance that has come under my observa- 
tion. 

One bitter cold day a son became enraged 
at his parents, and left the parental roof to 
wander he knew not whither, only led by 
blind passion. With nowhere to go and 
no protection, he soon succumbed to cold and 
hunger. This was many years ago, but that 
soul is yet seeking a way to reach that father 
and mother, to ask forgiveness for the wrong 
he did them, and not one step in advance of 
that can he get until this is accomplished. 

You say this is an extreme case. My good 
friends, it is a very mild case, — only one of 
an almost infinite number, who are strug- 
gling and striving to undo the wrongs they 
have done, upon the first plane of existence. 
1 06 



SPIRIT WORLD. 

It is not enough that some one has done us a 
wrong, — we may not return a wrong. We 
should accept favors in the kindly spirit in- 
tended, lest we do harm to that soul. The 
way is very narrow. " Walk ye in it." 



[07 



ECHOES FROM THE 



Chapter XIII. 

"O thou, by winds of grief o'erblown 
Beside some golden summer's bier — 
Take heart ! Thy birds are only flown, 
Thy blossoms sleeping, tearful sown, 
To greet thee in the immortal year." 

— Edna Dean Proctor. 

Nearing the time for our perennial en- 
trance into the labyrinths of Nature's se- 
crets, we journey from our chosen work to 
realms beyond, in search of these truths that 
will reveal to us the key to many acts of 
ours. This is the place for finding the rea- 
son why. 

Many times in mortal life we were taken 

through seasons of mysterious leading, from 

whence we knew not; but supposing all 

came from God, we did not seek to unravel 

1 08 



SPIEIT WOELD. 

the many - threaded mazes of earth-life. 
Here, we explain every step as we advance, 
and many times learn the causes of things 
which happened many spaces ago. We re- 
trieve our lost acts with more than double 
energy, and they count many times our 
former strength. 

Hearing we were to remove our head- 
quarters, I journeyed thither to learn more 
concerning it. Finding the Professors in 
consultation with regard to it, I waited to 
learn the result. Now we move to the 
right, and upward. Good! Some progress 
made, which is truly encouraging. Though 
we have put forth great effort, but remem- 
ber it is slow. 

Little Edith is growing to be a fine spirit 

in her work, and does not so often wish to 

return to her home on earth; is becoming 

more and more attached to the new sur- 

109 



ECHOES FROM THE 

roundings. She and her grandma make 
long journeys together, and she says she 
does not feel a bit tired. She is of a very 
sympathetic nature, and is much distressed 
at many things she sees. 

I have an idea that as she matures, she 
will be forced into work in the direction of 
relieving suffering; yet it remains to be 
seen what she will choose. We establish 
ourselves in the realm of being by our 
deeds. The universe of mind recognizes 
every effort put forth, while we merge into 
being every thought or will. The w^ill is 
often taken for the deed, so in what measure 
we grow is left with us. Meaningless are 
the lives whose barren fruits follow. Better 
" that a millstone were hanged about their 
necks." We cannot prosper without good 
deeds. 

Strictly speaking, there is but one life, 
no 



SPIRIT WORLD. 

and what seems to be the end is only a con- 
tinuation in another state of existence. We 
many times feel this within our own being, 
the intense desire for life, that it is inherent, 
and self-preservation, the first law. The un- 
tutored savage knows this law. When we 
have arrived at the second stage, we of course 
see this law so fulfilled that it is no more a 
terror to us. We are alive. We will no 
more feel death. My experience is one of 
great satisfaction, and of gratitude to Infinite 
Mind, the preserver of all the multiplicity of 
universes, for the wonderful goodness dis- 
played. My field of observation has been 
increased, and now I find millions of beings 
striving to reach the Mecca for which they 
sigh. There is great opportunity for you of 
earth to help these struggling souls. It must 
be accomplished that way. Some have been 
here for ages, and have only just begun to 
III 



ECHOES FROM THE 

seek, — for seeking, they will find. We can 
point them to the way, but that is all ; we 
are powerless to cross the boundary of soul. 
We are firmly bound by laws as invincible 
as can be framed. This is so important for 
earth-souls to know ere they cross the line, 
I would emphasize this truth, and write it in 
glowing letters across the tablets of your 
memory, that you may have your earth- work 
done and well done. Happy is the one who 
recognizes this fact. Many regrets are saved 
and his future is assured success. This is the 
only reward, and it is not in the power of 
anyone to give, — it must be earned. This is 
right, otherwise we would become a universe 
of sloths and evil-doers. Whereas, now, such 
as these have no part in the glory, and are left 
far in the rear, while the seeking soul goes 
marching on. 

I cannot leave this point without an admo- 

112 



SPIRIT WORLD. 

nition to good works while it is yet your 
privilege. This will redound to your honor, 
will be so engrafted into your being by this 
law of compensation, that good will come to 
you. It is mainly for your good that I tell 
you these things, knowing so well how they 
will be appreciated by you when you have 
had more experience, for it is this that goes 
to make up existence. "How often would 
I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her 
chickens, but ye would not." 

How plain and forcible seem all the say- 
ings of our Great Teacher, now that we see 
clearly. Only for the unbelief of the peo- 
ple. He could have convinced them all of 
the spiritual light within ; but because their 
minds and hearts were so given to worldly 
things, they could not see what He tried so 
hard to have them know. Thus much of 
His effort was lost, and not until He came 

-8 113 



ECHOES FROM THE 

forth in His spiritual body (which is like 
unto the natural body. — Cor.), did they ap- 
preciate or realize what a Divine messenger 
He was. But then, only ?ifew of the popu- 
lace could see it; and so it is to-day on mor- 
tal plane: the teachers are here, yet for the 
unbelief of the people only the few receive. 
More than anything else would we im- 
press upon the minds of those who read, the 
importance of keeping in touch with the 
upper strata of thought. Do not allow im- 
pure or shallow thoughts to permeate your 
being, for in so far as this is heeded will lie 
much advancement. It is not possible to 
reach the acme of success at one bound, but 
round and round the circle runs; so it is by 
slow degrees we reach the heights. Know- 
ing full well the discouragements in your 
pathway, I would lay stress upon this fact: 
with slow progress take heart. Only that 
114 



SPIBIT WOULD. 

you are not retrograding, you are surely 
going forward. There is no standing still. 
The perfect life can and will be reached, 
and is well worth the striving. 

My wife says she had no idea that she 
would be so blessed, and is delighted with 
the prospects for future good. Her mission 
to the sorrowing and suffering ones of earth 
pleases her much. She thinks that soon 
she may reach some in a more tangible way, 
though she is sure some have felt her pres- 
ence. She says it is glorious work, and one 
she has every hope of continuing. She is 
becoming accustomed to the long distances, 
and often has congenial companionship on 
the way. All seems very wonderful to her 
yet, but she is learning to accept as good 
what has come to her. You ask if we are 
always "on the go," and never rest ? Far 
from it. On the contrary, we spend much 
115 



ECHOES FROM THE 

space in one another's society, and in rest, 
to recuperate for further action. 

Having now grown unto my work, I hold 
the place assigned me with assiduity, never 
once doubting the reasons given to be supe- 
rior essence, that has been evolved in all the 
countless ages of previous history. Much to 
our gratification, we mastered these problems 
with slight difficulty, for as a schoolboy on 
earth, I had been disciplined in perseverance, 
and now I found former lessons of much 
value. My father had been a man of great 
wisdom along these lines, and though very 
careful not to require more than his child 
could accomplish, yet it was the law of his 
being to expect the fulfillment to the very 
letter. This had aided me all through life 
to surmount difficulties, so that in my make- 
up I have a vast amount of tenacity, which 
just now is valuable. 

Ii6 



SPIBIT WORLD. 

Light travels faster than sound ; so does 
mind travel in advance of being. Mind is 
the quintessence of all the universes, — the 
ruling power, creative wisdom. My mind 
was drawn to upper space. I went thither. 
There I find laws fulfilled : no defect, but 
perfect in their fulfillment. Then I return, 
and wish to instruct mortals : Behold, how 
great a thing is life ! All nature is filled 
with it, — nothing else. Life and love, the 
two important elements. How necessary 
that we cultivate both. They last endlessly, 
and redound to our happiness. Many times 
we feel a longing to know the beyond. It 
shall be revealed. There is no mystery, 
but beautiful, true fulfillment. All the pure 
elements of the mind shall be. You do 
not prize the angel by your side. He can 
give perfect knowledge, perfect love, and 
peace. Only trust, and be guided. You 
117 



ECHOES FROM THE 

will then in nowise go wrong. It is only 
when you trust your own poor human judg- 
ment that you fail ; but now you have the 
comforter, which is no more nor less than 
the loved friend who left your sight. He 
will direct your steps aright, and care for 
and protect you in all seasons. Do not grieve 
the spirit. There are times when you might 
be tempted to doubt this truth, but do not for 
one minute believe that the dear one will be 
any the less diligent. Here good works are 
our passport to higher conditions, and the 
only passport. There is no element or com- 
modity but love and duty. No silver nor 
gold can in the least benefit us ; it must be 
right deeds and loving thought for others. 
Self is secondary here. They who learn 
this early are nearer the Victor's realm. 
Many times we withhold our love until too 
late. Let me admonish you to good works. 
ii8 



SPIRIT WORLD. 

Mingling joy and sorrow, doubt and fear, 
\ve hope ever for the best. This element 
in our natures is largely due to merest cir- 
cumstance. 

We fail to glean from life's great lessons 
the fullest meaning, and many times despair 
overtakes. This too often is the cause of 
much grief, — after the mortal life has been 
passed, and the soul cries out, " Oh, why 
could I not have seen what was so kindly 
meant for my best good!" The hand that 
smites can heal, and I \vould impress upon 
your minds the importance of believing; 
that whatever the intricate paths, there is 
good to follow. Who that does not know 
the dross must be burned away ? In nearly 
every instance it is a perfect work. It is 
those who will not heed who must suffer 
much here, — regrets, and remorse. 

My mother had sent for me, as she in- 
119 



ECHOES FROM THE 

tended having a family reunion. Such oc- 
casions are very pleasant, when we renew 
the old companionships and plan for the 
future. My father had hitherto been very 
reticent when interrogated as to his work, 
always evading the direct question, and 
putting one so at his ease that he made no 
further inquiry, but knew he was not any 
more enlightened upon the subject. 

Upon this occasion, he made known to us 
his plans. Finding he had gifts in several 
lines, it was necessary to choose. He liked 
most the line followed in earth — that of 
caring for the sick, as that was a joy to 
him. Now he found it doubly pleasant, for 
there was need of counsel on both sides of 
life, and this made him very happy. 

My father had possessed much wisdom, 
and when in earth-life he had been so many 
times confronted with problems in his work 



SPIRIT WOELD. 

that would be solved in sleep or when sit- 
ting in a passive state in his office, he always 
gave credit to a higher power, but did not 
understand this power; but now he knows 
it was some kind spirit, who like himself 
had given heed to the solution of the mys- 
tery of life, and loved to aid mortals in their 
efforts to preserve this life, upon the first 
plane. So to this noble calling my father 
still adheres, and finds plenty of opportunity 
for the exercise of his gifts. 

He related to us many incidents of his 
experience, which gave zest to his profes- 
sion. Many times he finds spaces to view 
earth's treasures, and withal is quite a trav- 
eler. My mother often accompanies him 
upon his errands, and always upon his tours 
of investigation. 

Withal, we are happy, as we are kept 
busy, and have no space for selfish idleness. 

121 



ECHOES FBOM THE 



Chapter XIV. 

"Where hast thou been this year, beloved? 
What hast thou seen, — 
What visions fair, what glorious life, 
Where thou hast been? 

"Not dead, not sleeping, not even gone, 
But present still. 
And waiting for the coming hour 
Of God's sweet will." 

— Harriet Beecher Stowe. 

There are times when you feel a lacking 
of the vital force. This may be owing to 
various causes, but it is necessary to recuper- 
ate. This may be done by calling to your 
aid the spirit forces, who are ever about you. 
They will come, if asked, into your immedi- 
ate presence, and with a gentle flow of mag- 
netism from their being will replace this 

122 



SPIRIT WORLD. 

element of your being, which has become 
depleted, with new and vital power, which 
will give you comfort and ease. Pain they 
can relieve best through the hands of a 
healer, who can transmit a portion of 
earth-force, which is ever necessary to 
sustain you while in earth-life. Many 
times you feel pain when it is only the 
condition of the atmosphere. This they 
can readily relieve. The mind's energy is 
many times deflected from its direct course, 
and drawn to realms beyond its pres- 
ent being, in which stage it may prosper, 
but is out of established harmony with its 
being. Fulfilling the laws laid down is the 
only safe plan in any stage of existence. 
We must first seek to understand those laws. 
The intricate web of life is two-fold in its 
import : kindly seek and rightly act. This 
is all there is to it, yet enough to require the 
123 



ECHOES FROM THE 

thoughtful diligence of us all. There are 
no two paths ; it is only the one path, but 
differently outlined. To some it is fraught 
with much care and toil, while to others it 
seems a high-road of pleasure. However 
we view it, whatever we make of it, it is the 
one Royal Road of Life. One receives the 
success deserved, and this is the pleasant thing 
connected with being. No striving in vain. 
It may appear so for a season, but many ap- 
pearances are delusive, as you have already 
learned. 

" Edith, oh, Edith ! " I thought, "you have 
escaped many hard lessons, and yet the ben- 
efit derived from those lessons is denied you, 
which detracts from thus early leaving the 
first state." They are pure and innocent, 
but ignorant as well, — have missed the first 
chapter, and cannot so well understand the 
second. This is truth. It is to be deplored 
124 



8PIBIT WOBLD. 

that some are deprived of this first experi- 
ence. It fits the mind for future usefulness. 

Thoroughly imbued with strictest honesty, 
I watched the growth and development of 
mortal mind with greatest satisfaction. 

We have yet to know the good we may 
accomplish. The seeming good is not al- 
ways the result; as many times the influence 
may extend over many spaces of existence, 
so the sum of our acts may not at once be 
determined. Unwisely, some reason from 
analogy; but this method on the whole will 
not bear the test. 

We must strive to live to the highest 
light we have, and keep striving to attain to 
more resplendent rays, until we reach the 
central sun. It is the privilege of all, — only 
give your thought. The requirements along 
this line are very meager, — only a little of 
your time and a passive will. This last is 
125 



ECHOES FEOM THE 

quite hard to attain, but when once discov- 
ered you will wonder why you never knew 
this before. 

This point reached, the guides can come 
closer, can manifest to you, and through 
you to others. This is the sum total. Put 
yourself en rapport with spirit-forces; then 
you have discovered one of the great laws 
of the universe; then mind can act on mind, 
and give to you knowledge from the life 
beyond, so that when you come to lay down 
the mortal all will not be so new to you, but 
you will have known and felt this life in 
advance, thereby making you feel more at 
ease when you cross the boundary. There 
is no such thing as going out into nonentity, 
as some suppose; no sleeping in the grave 
until the resurrection. No, no! It is life, 
beautiful life prolonged. Beautiful if we 
make it so. Why toil for the meat that 
126 



SPIRIT WOBLD. 

perishes when only to open unto the spir- 
itual world your wants may be supplied ? 
" Are ye not more than food and raiment ? " 
The earthly things are well enough, but 
the spending a whole lifetime in pursuit of 
them, to the detriment of the soul, is what I 
object to. Spare a little time to learn the 
laws of being around you, and thereby ben- 
efit yourselves throughout the endless aeons 
of space. Greatly to be deplored are the 
lives whose only aim and object is merce- 
nary gain, — who do not give attention to 
the deeper meanings of life. They arrive 
at this stage of existence shorn of their 
idols, and powerless to direct the further 
investments. They are miserable, because 
the commodity here is out of their line. 
The disappointment with which they view 
the situation is not easy to describe, and 
only as they may influence those left behind 
127 



ECHOES FROM THE 

and in possession of their wealth, are they 
enabled to maintain any degree of forbear- 
ance. You will observe this, that Infinite 
Mind has taken into account and provided a 
way whereby such souls may be pacified, 
until they grow unto their state. It takes 
countless periods of space to grow out 
of these conditions, as all erroneous ideas 
must be eradicated before one step in 
advance can be gained. Following ever 
onward are the measures with which we 
measure, and " it shall be measured to us 
again." This is a truthful law of being, 
one which cannot be ignored. Happy is he 
who heeds. Winnowing our hearts' best 
happiness, we are oblivious to evil tempta- 
tions. Undeveloped good is ever within 
our reach, but we must learn to decry the 
presence of any element which could possi- 
bly persuade us from the right path. This 
128 



SPIRIT WORLD. 

we must do, if we would be blessed. And 
who does not strive for happiness? All are 
bent on the one object, and determined to 
reach, sometime, through their ideals, the 
enchanted state. Yet with what vastly dif- 
ferent minds do they strive! Choose wisely, 
friends. 

Thoroughly imbued with life's great mis- 
sion, and alive to its responsibilities, pain 
and toil, I find my mind wandering to you 
of earth, wishing to impart somewhat to 
you that may help to alleviate that part of 
your journey. 

The first steps are the most important, 
therefore it is the more necessary that great 
care should be taken. What will you think 
of me, when I say all other experience is de- 
pendent upon this one? This is true. Not 
that you w411 not exist, but as to how you 
will exist in the sum total. You have it 

— 9 129 



ECHOES FBOM THE 

largely within your own power to say what 
shall be. Environment has much to do, and 
yet you are supposed to surmount environ- 
ment. All life is an integral part of the 
great universe of life, much the same as 
each member is a part of the body. The 
hand cannot say, " Because I am not the eye, 
I am not of the body," neither can it say, " I 
am of no use." Each part is needed to make 
a complete whole. So in the Life of Being, 
no part can be lost, no particle dissolved. 

Finding my work is growing easier for 
me, I feel gratified that I may spend more 
space in converse with mortals. As you by 
this time understand, I can in nowise neglect 
the pursuit of knowledge along the lines I 
have chosen, which is a delight to me. 
When you are guided to this plane, I 
shall be pleased to convey to you the 
130 



SPIRIT WORLD. 

meaning of the work I have in hand, but 
your business now is to bide your time, car- 
ing, to the best of your ability, for the tem- 
ples of the bodies in which you dwell, that 
your time may be prolonged and your work 
well done. I would above all things em- 
phasize this admonition : Do not seek in any 
way to destroy life ( mortal existence), but 
build up and prolong your probationary pe- 
riod. It is of great importance that you do 
so, and thereby increase your likelihood for 
good, for right deeds. 



131 



ECHOES FROM THE 



Chapter XV. 

"There is no death. An angel form 

Walks o'er the earth with silent tread ; 
He bears our best-loved things away, 
And then we call them 'dead.' 

"But ever near us, though unseen, 
The dear immortal spirits tread ; 
For all the boundless Universe 
Is life — there are no dead." 

— J. L. McCreery. 

Myriads of whirling systems of worlds 
comprise the countless number of universes, 
and it is not commensurate with human 
knowledge to form a basis from which to 
solve the stupendous problem as to their ex- 
istence. It must be taken as fact, and the 
reasonableness of the idea that Creative 
Mind had a wise purpose in thus planning 
for future habitations. We can but gaze 
and wonder at the wisdom displayed. Per- 
132 



SPIBIT WORLD. 

haps this is the time for me to relate what 
may seem an improbabihty. 

Thinking to reach my dear ones of earth, 
I set out in good season. Full many spaces 
had passed, and I was anxious to know if 
anything had happened to my son, or to his 
family. You will discover we are not pos- 
sessed of all knowledge, and must jour- 
ney to our friends if we would know about 
them. Consequently, I went in quest of 
evidence to quiet my mind. Arriving at 
the home of my son, I found all well, and 
everything seemed to be about as usual. He 
was not at home; so I directed my steps to 
his place of business, knowing well the way. 
Here I found him bent over his books, much 
as I had been in years gone by, puzzling 
over the long lines of figures. "Well," I 
thought, "you must be successful." The 
place wore an air of prosperity, and I could 

133 



ECHOES FROM TEE 

not help feeling a degree of pride in the 
thought, " Well, after all, there is satisfac- 
tion in doing well whatever we do at all." 
My attention was drawn to the improve- 
ments and late inventions for conducting 
the business with greater ease, and I was 
pleased to note the prosperity that seemed 
to be displayed; and my only son was at 
the head of this vast establishment. My 
heart burned within me for pride at his 
success; but yet I knew it would be much 
harder for him to change his vocation when 
the time came, as there would be no profit 
in lingering here. I had once thought / 
would never return, but now it was differ- 
ent: the old care did not affect me, and I 
was simply as one entertained; consequently 
I could view the progress unobserved, and 
at my leisure. 

I found the appliances for abbreviating 

134 



SPIRIT WORLD. 

labor were numerous, much to my astonish- 
ment. I had not even dreamed of the rapid 
strides in wealth and intellectual attainments. 
I was as one who had been oblivious to this 
form of advancement. Having never had 
my mind drawn to this branch of knowl- 
edge, as on my last entering this place I had 
resolved never to return, I had dismissed the 
care and labor connected with it, and had 
retreated from the place. Now I felt an 
interest for my son's sake, and though feel- 
ing it would not be exactly best for him, yet 
could not advise at this point a change, as 
he was very content. 

After looking until thoroughly satisfied, 
I took my departure, intending to return 
often to see my son, who was now the dear- 
est of all my friends left on earth; though 
I could not at this time reach him with my 
thought, as his mind was too much absorbed 

135 



ECHOES FEOM TEE 

to pay any attention to me. I will now say, 
if the mortal does not look within, but is ab- 
sorbed in outward thought, we cannot speak 
to his mind. 

All-absorbing as this topic is, I must leave 
it for now, to relate a strange experience. 
After leaving my son's store, I passed down 
the familiar street, which was very little 
changed. Stopping in front of one of the 
establishments that I had been very much 
drawn to in times past, I gazed intently upon 
what was going on around me. Many 
strange faces were passing, and I felt like 
one in a foreign land. Presently I noticed 
the people stopping in their course, and di- 
recting their gaze toward me. " Well," I 
thought, '•' for once I have an audience ! 
What can it mean ? " I stood on the sunny 
side of the street, and I could not understand 
why the people crowded around me. I stood 
136 



SPIRIT WORLD. 

perfectly still, wondering not a little as the 
numbers increased, and there was no mis- 
take, — / was the object of attraction. Fi- 
nally one approached me with the cry of "O! 
father ! father ! " I beheld my son and he 
his father, and I left them with the knowl- 
edge that the chemical laws of spirit are 
perfect, and under proper conditions one 
may manifest to mortal eye. 

You ask, what was the agency? I an- 
swer, the media around me reflected from 
humans passing. 

This was great happiness to me. Owing 
to various reasons I made my exit from the 
scene just described with feelings of grati- 
tude and pleasure, — glad to have proven an- 
other law complete, and also gratified to 
have reached my son and others in a tangible 
way. He was inclined to accept as proof 
this manifestation of being, and hastened 

137 



ECHOES FROM THE 

home to inform his wife of the wonderful 
thing that had happened. The throng of 
people who witnessed the " apparition," as 
they called it, had various opinions. The 
superstitious thought the city was doomed ; 
while others believed it to be a genuine spir- 
itual manifestation. Withal, it stirred pub- 
lic sentiment and gave subject for discussion 
for many a day. Seeming only to know is 
no real knowledge, so after the occurrence 
was past, many questioned whether it had 
been, but those who had witnessed were 
just as tenacious in their declarations. Thus 
time passed, and I leave them to their own 
conclusions. It was enough for me that my 
son had taken heed. 



138 



8PIBIT WORLD. 



Chapter XVI. 

"Let the old life be covered by the new: 
The old past life, so full of sad mistakes, 
Let it be wholly hidden from the view 

By deeds as white and silent as snow-flakes. 
Ere this life melts in the eternal Spring, 
Let the white mantle of repentance fling 
Soft drapery about it, fold on fold. 
Even as the new snow covers up the old." 

— Ella Wheeler Wilcox. 

Looking within, finding the forces per- 
fect, you are led to contemplate with satis- 
faction the field of work laid down. Often 
the mind is filled with longing to reach the 
highest point from which to survey its at- 
tainments. This is perfectly commensurate 
with its realistic condition, and hope gives 
birth to flights of fancy which may be real- 
ized. 

We pursue our ideals no less in this life, 

139 



ECHOES FROM THE 

and, if we reach ever outward, are sure 
sooner or later to become merged into their 
substance, — for such they become when once 
we have appropriated and absorbed their es- 
sence. How important that we entertain 
exalted ideals, as while this is taking place 
we are becoming engrafted into the life of 
all life. Furthermore, our business is not 
only to exist, but to fulfill the highest state 
of existence ; then we shall have accom- 
plished much whereby we may be blessed. 
We may not, and can not, receive a bless- 
ing unless we have fulfilled the law by which 
this state may be vouchsafed to us. Let me 
repeat, for it can not be too often reiterated, 
there is no reward without right-doing, and 
it is best to start right on the first plane. 
Do not put off what you are convinced is 
right for you to do now. Each day will 
bring its labors and anxieties, so do not 
140 



SPIRIT WORLD. 

neglect a single opportunity to develop the 
soul. This is what you are to depend upon 
throughout eternity, and is of vastly more 
importance than houses and lands, or any 
element of physical life. Ultimately the 
physical man will appropriate these spirit- 
ual truths, when the world shall have be- 
come more enlightened. Just now the need 
of teachers is great. All who hear the word 
do not appropriate it. " Ye should be doers 
also," and in this way the light is spread, the 
truth disseminated. The field is now ripe, 
but the laborers are few, comparatively. 
We on the spirit side stand ever ready to 
give of our knowledge for your benefit. 

Believe true, the words I have brought to 
you, for they are truth. I have no wish to 
deceive, but simply enlighten upon this sub- 
ject with which every soul is connected. 

The time for this light is now; the world 
141 



ECHOES FROM THE SPIRIT WORLD. 

is now ready. There has never been a time 
when there has been more deep thinking. 
The people are awake to scientific investi- 
gation. Tlie masses are inquiring. This 
is the encouraging feature to us, and as we 
can, will do our work. It is pleasant to 
contemplate, and happiness abounds. Like 
the little bird in its native forest on a bright 
May morning, trilling its sweetest lay, so 
we sing in grateful thankfulness when we 
see the mortal finding the right way. 

Not many spaces ere we will find many 
more thinking seriously along these lines, 
and little by little the power of mind will 
be acknowledged, until this knowledge 
shall fill the whole earth. 



FINIS. 



142 



Contents 

Chapter. Page. 

I — Passes from earth to spirit-life, 7 

II — Departs from the surroundings of home, . 13 

III — Finds father, mother, brother, and sisters, 21 

IV — Begins the study of chemistry, 29 

V — Returns, and visits his wife, 45 

VI — Little Edith passes away, 60 

VII — He and Edith visit his mother, 65 

VIII — Goes to the home of his childhood, ... 73 

IX — Philosophy of life, 82 

X — Philosophy of life (continued), 86 

XI — His wife passes away, 92 

XII — No time but the present, 103 

XIII — His wife finds her work, . 108 

XIV — Spirit forces assist mortals, 122 

XV — Appears to his son, 132 

XVI — Spiritual light being accepted, 139 



